Waste treatment process

Abstract

In a process for the treatment of at least one mixture of solid and liquid waste substances which contains at least one metal such as Fe and/or compounds thereof, for example oxides, the mixture occurring in a condition in which it can be used at least only with difficulty, the mixture is at least extensively homogenized and mixed with at least one very fine-grain dry substance containing fly ash and/or coke. The resulting mixture is of such a nature, for example being at least predominantly in the form of agglomerates, that it can be fed to a thermal procedure, possibly after a grading operation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for carrying out a melt in a metallurgical furnace, the process comprising injecting, by means of a carrier gas, into the furnace a source of metal in the form of dry bonded agglomerates of up to about 4 mm grain size, the agglomerates comprising the product of force mixing a homogenized metal-containing mixture of liquid and solids with a dry fine grained additive selected from the group of fly ash, coke and blast furnace flue gas dust. 
     
     
       2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the injection is via tuyeres. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the product is allowed to stand after force mixing and before the injection. 
     
     
       4. A process according to claim 2 wherein the agglomerates are pneumatically conveyed jointly with coal to the tuyeres. 
     
     
       5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the furnace is a blast furnace. 
     
     
       6. A process according to claim 1, wherein the mixture is selected from one or more of the following group: rolling scale sludge   sludge residue from the pigment industry   black sludge from the processing of aluminum   sludge form the processing of pyrite   sludge comprising blast furnace gas dust   sludge from converters   sludge from grinding operations   sludge from foundry dust   sludge containing cutting machinery dusts.   
     
     
       7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the mixture and the additive are mixed in a weight ratio of 2 to 5:1. 
     
     
       8. A process according to claim 1, wherein quicklime or a precursor thereof are added before the mixture is mixed with the additive. 
     
     
       9. A process according to claim 1, including the step of subjecting the formed agglomerates to a classification treatment to remove particles having a grain size above 4 mm. 
     
     
       10. A process according to claim 1, including the step of subjecting the formed agglomerates to pelletization. 
     
     
       11. A process according to claim 1, wherein a second waste material mixture, containing metal and comprising solid material and liquid material, is mixed with said homogenized metal-containing mixture before mixing with the additive. 
     
     
       12. A process according to claim 11, wherein the second mixture is mixed with said homogenized metal-containing mixture in a ratio of about 3:1 by weight. 
     
     
       13. A process according to claim 1, in which the homogenization of the metal-containing mixture of liquids and solids is effected prior to mixing with said additive.